Film leads students to festive fundraising

A Level media students at West Nottinghamshire College have been inspired to help those less fortunate after watching an award-winning British film.

Film and media tutor Ellen Beavis (centre) with curriculum manager Matt Ridgill to her left with kind-hearted students

The drama I, Daniel Blake, directed by Ken Loach, follows the life and trials of a 59-year-old widowed carpenter, who, after suffering a major heart attack has been ordered by doctors to rest.

However, after a negative employment support assessment, he is deemed ineligible for compensation, not scoring enough points to obtain benefits, resulting in him suffering extreme hardship.

The group then came up with the idea to collect items for the Sherwood Forest Foodbank, in Mansfield Woodhouse, to help those in need this Christmas.

Over £70 worth of food and toiletries were donated by staff and students, together with money from fellow creative writing students who donated some cash from the proceeds of the sale of their anthology.

Media and film tutor Ellen Beavis said: “I’m so proud she of how well the students took it upon themselves to help others. They were really moved by scenes in the film but rather than sit back and do nothing, they decided to help. They started the ball rolling with the collection and it was great to see other groups getting involved to bump-up the total donation.”

A Level media, film and business student Tiffany Jones said: “A couple of weeks ago we watched I, Daniel Blake which showed how little money benefits brings into a household, and that food banks often end up being an option.

“We decided together to help out a local charity. We began by putting posters up around college asking for donations and we’ve all worked hard collecting tins, biscuits, pasta and toiletries. It’s been a great success.”

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